Baby's First-Aid Kit Buying Guide

Putting together a well-stocked first-aid kit before you need it will put your mind at ease — especially once baby's on the move! Here's what you need to stock in the medicine cabinet to prepare for everything from a scratch to a fever.

Before you realize it, you'll be able to predict (as much as you can with a little one) when your baby needs to be fed, have his diaper changed or go to bed at night. But there's often no way of knowing when your child is going to get sick or get a cut.

Quick Tips

Prepackaged kits are convenient, but they won't have everything you need and can be pricier than a DIY version. Either put together a kit from scratch or buy a premade option that you can customize with additional items.

Take inventory of your kit every few months to throw out anything that has expired — like that infant acetaminophen — and make sure you're all stocked up with the necessary supplies.

Stash a portable kit in your diaper bag or car so that you have what you need at all times.

Baby's First-Aid Kit Essentials

It's easy to worry — a lot — when your baby gets a fever or cut, especially if you're a first-time mom or dad. By preparing a first-aid kit ahead of time, you'll feel more confident that you can take care of any concerns your little one has. Here are the basic items you'll want to stock in the kit.

Rectal Thermometer: While there are many types of thermometers you can use to take your baby's temperature, a rectal thermometer is the most accurate. Find one with a flexible tip to provide extra comfort.

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Infant Acetaminophen: You'll rely on this liquid medicine when your baby has a fever or experiences the aches and pains that come with teething and those first shots. Acetaminophen, such as Infant Tylenol, can be used after age 2 months. You can use ibuprofen (Infant Advil, Infant Motrin) once your baby is older than 6 months. Do not use products in a 80 mg/0.8 ml per dose. They're not currently on the market, but if you've bought one, then throw it away. The preferred concentration is 160 mg/5 ml per dose.

Nail Clippers: Your baby's tiny fingernails could grow so fast that you might have to cut them several times a week. And watch out: they're sharper than they look! Keep them trimmed to stop your baby from accidentally scratching her — and your — face with those clumsy newborn arm movements.

Petroleum Jelly: Baby's skin is much more sensitive than yours and can get chapped and irritated easily. Use petroleum jelly as a barrier between the skin and a wet diaper to prevent rashes. You can also use the jelly as a lubricant when you need to use a rectal thermometer.

Bandages, Hydrogen Peroxide and Antiseptic Spray: Even though your baby can't go very far, cuts and scrapes are bound to happen. Babies can stumble (and it almost seems to happen every day) when they're beginning to cruise or taking their first steps. Disinfecting the wounds and covering them with a small bandage will help them heal much faster.

Saline Spray and Nasal Aspirator: Since your baby can't blow his own stuffy nose during a cold, you need to step in to help. Using a saline spray and a nasal aspirator will clear away the mucus and give your baby some relief.

Gas Drops: When burping doesn't work, try infant gas drops. The drops break up your baby's gas bubbles and can help with fussiness and colic.

Tweezers: Even babies can get splinters. Have a pair of tweezers on hand to pull them out when you spot them.

Medicine Dropper: No one likes to take medicine — babies included. Keeping a medicine dropper in your kit will ensure that your baby is getting the right dosage. Squirt the medicine toward your baby's cheek to prevent him from spitting it out.

Alcohol Wipes: Alcohol wipes are useful for cleaning the tweezers, nail clippers and thermometer in your kit before and after you use them. Having clean gear will prevent infections.

Baby First-Aid Kit Safety

When you're playing Dr. Mom or Dr. Dad, safety should be your first concern. Dealing with medicine and a sick or hurt baby can sometimes make you feel like you're out of your element, but with a few precautions, your baby should be feeling better fast.

Keep Your Kit Secure

Your baby first-aid kit contains sharp objects and items that aren't safe to ingest, like medicine, antiseptic spray and petroleum jelly. Keep the items out of reach — or better yet, locked up — so any curious young children don't raid your supplies.

Watch the Dosage

You can give your baby infant acetaminophen every four to six hours, but don't exceed four doses in a 24-hour period. And always use the dropper that comes with the medicine to get the correct dosage. Unlike ibuprofen, acetaminophen can be given to babies younger than six months old. However, if your baby is less than three months, talk to you doctor first to make sure it's safe.

Clean Your Supplies

As a caregiver, you're dealing with snot, cuts and other dirty messes, so it's important to disinfect and wash your supplies before and after you use them. The tips of your tweezers, nail clippers and thermometer are breeding grounds for bacteria, so you should use an alcohol wipe on them every time.

And Clean Your Hands

Always wash your hands when using items in the first-aid kit, even before clipping your baby's nails. Your baby's immune system isn't as strong as yours and dirty hands can lead to illness.

Avoid Opaque Nasal Bulbs

Some parents have been horrified to discover mold growing inside their nasal bulbs! Prevent harmful bacterial or mold growth by buying an aspirator that has a clear chamber. Rinse it after each use and make sure the inside is completely free of any gross buildup.

Don't Use Just Any Thermometer

Oral and rectal thermometers can't be interchanged. Rectal thermometers are specifically designed to have a short probe and a bulb that prevents you from inserting it too far. Check to make sure you're using the correct thermometer before you take your baby's temperature.

Keep a List of Emergency Numbers

Along with all your essentials, keep a card in your kit with emergency numbers. Include numbers for poison control and your doctor. This way, you can quickly take action if the situation requires more than what you can handle alone.

Trust Your Instincts

When it comes to minor bumps and coughs, your care (and extra cuddles) may be all it takes to put your baby back to good health. But if you're not sure what to do when an unexpected issue arises or you have lingering worries about something you've treated that's not improving, call your baby's doctor. Most pediatrician offices have a policy that you can always reach out for guidance. No question should be too small!

Questions to Answer Before Stocking Your Baby's First-Aid Kit

You're certainly not prepping for a disaster, but you'll get peace of mind knowing you can deal with any gas, fevers, scratches or rashes in the future. So what do you need to do to make sure you have every scenario covered? Here are some questions to consider when you're stocking your kit.

When should you buy supplies?

It's tempting to start stocking up on supplies as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, but you should try to wait until later in your pregnancy to assemble a baby first-aid kit. Medicine, like infant acetaminophen, can expire and will lose potency after the expiration date.

How much do you need to buy?

There's no need to have a giant box full of items just for a small cut or a low-grade fever. It's smarter — and cheaper — to buy the essentials and then replenish your box over time. Buying in bulk saves money, but you run the risk of wasting your supplies or letting them expire before you can use them.

Where should you store your kit?

Make sure your kit isn't easy to open — a locking lid is ideal — and stays stored on a high shelf or in a drawer. The kit contains medicine that's dangerous in high dosages and metal tools that can cause injury to your baby and other children. Keep the kit in a dry place, preferably not the bathroom, because any moisture could encourage bacteria or mold to grow.

Do the supplies work for babies of all ages?

All of the supplies should work well for babies over three months old. If you have a newborn, check with your doctor before you use acetaminophen or are especially concerned about a rash or cut. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Can the kit be used with older children?

Any of the medicines that are geared toward infants should only be used for the recommended age ranges. Many of the other items, like the tweezers, bandages and antiseptic spray, are perfectly fine to use if one of your other children (or you) get a cut or a splinter and need them in a pinch. It's best to keep your baby first-aid kit separate from any other general family health supplies so you don't accidentally mix up a rectal thermometer with one meant for an armpit or grab fever medicine that only older kids should take.

Can you buy a premade baby first-aid kit?

Getting a premade baby first-aid kit is a good start, but you'll have to supplement with extra supplies. The prepackaged kits provide a good compact container to keep everything together (because you definitely don't need more baby supplies cluttering up your house). Most of them won't have some of the items you need — like gas drops or petroleum jelly — but they give you the basics if you need your supplies now and don't have time to get everything before the birth.

Can you buy generic forms of these supplies?

Buying generic supplies is a great way to save money. Generic infant acetaminophen is just as effective as Tylenol. Many times, you're paying extra for the branding.

What Moms Say About Baby's First-Aid Kit

When's the best time to cut your baby's nails? How do you deal with colds? And can you prevent diaper rash? What to Expect community moms shared their tips on baby first-aid supplies.

This Mom's First-Aid Essentials

"I always have Mylicon drops, infant Tylenol, infant Motrin, Desitin and Aquaphor (or other petroleum jelly-like gel). The Mylicon helps with gassy tummies, and if there's a fever, it's best to alternate between the Tylenol and Motrin to keep it down sometimes. Never give a baby aspirin unless your pediatrician tells you to do so. And, of course, the Desitin is for diaper rash and the Aquaphor is for eczema/dry skin patches that I use at night after a bath to keep those areas moisturized." - babywearer2013

Make Gas Prevention Routine

"I use Mylicon before every feeding with my son. If I breastfeed, I give it by mouth; if he gets a bottle I put it in there." - PInvImomma2

Five-Second Temperature Trick

"Rectal thermometers aren't that bad. We just applied a little Vaseline on a digital thermometer with a plastic cover on it. It took five seconds or less. Then we pitched the cover and used a little alcohol on the rest of it to ease my mind." - Buggysmom2007

A Little Distraction Goes a Long Way

"I cut my baby's nails at night after bath time when she's on the changing table. I either have my husband distract her or give her the light-up rattle in the other hand." - AmersK15

Dream Extraction

"My little one has never had a splinter. But I was a nanny for lots of years and when the baby or even the older kids got splinters, it was better to take them out while they were sleeping. They typically slept right through it. Just be careful — if you leave it, you don't want it getting infected." - jennfinan

Go With the Flow

"We use the saline drops from Little Remedies. I think it's really helpful. Our son is perpetually congested, and it usually helps to loosen up the snot so it comes sliding out of his nose (which I then find on me after he nurses!). The only bad part is he hates it and fights us when we give it to him." - Wabo4234

First-Aid Kit to Go

"I carry a small first-aid kit in my son's diaper bag. It has Band-Aids, gauze, Neosporin and cleaning wipes. We have a larger, fully stocked kit in the car at all times because we travel back roads and go camping so much. A thermometer and Advil/Tylenol come on major trips away from home." - WitchoftheWaste

Diaper Bag Must-Haves

"My son is almost two. I don't carry a first-aid kit but do keep a few things in his bag. There's a thermometer, small pack of Kleenex, alcohol wipes and Neosporin. I figure if we have bigger problems, we would go to a store or the ER." - jcpohlman

From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), as well as the What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

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What to Expect the First Year, 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel.